Uterine Cancer

Overview

Uterine or endometrial cancer will affect over 54,000 new women this year, and over 10,000 women will succumb to this disease. Cancer starts when cells in the body fail to die and start to grow out of control, beyond their normal life expectancy. The most common cancers in the uterus occur in the endometrial lining of the uterine cavity. These women usually come to the doctor with abnormal bleeding so the cancers (68%) tend to be diagnosed in early stages. Cancers that are found at an earlier stage are more easily cured.

Uterine sarcomas are much less common (about 5% of all uterine cancer),  and are more aggressive malignancies that form in the muscle or in the supporting structures of the uterus.

Treatment Options

Uterine cancers are staged and treated surgically, usually with a hysterectomy and removal of the tubes and ovaries and sometimes lymph nodes as well.  The surgery and/or preoperative staging determines if other treatment is necessary. For early stage I cancer, surgery with hysterectomy is usually sufficient.  Patients with more advanced cancer may need additional treatment including radiation hormones and/or chemotherapy, depending on the patient an  extent of disease.

Medical Oncologist